After the destruction of Belgium, traders are slowly losing hope in the police investigation owing to statements that came from the police high command. Sources say Property worth hundreds of millions of Leones was allegedly destroyed, few days back, by supporters of the ruling SLPP (Sierra Leone People’s Party) youths.
In spite of the destruction, a credible source has intimated this press that perpetrators of violence at Belgium would go free. He said clear signs have shown that none would be brought to justice. The source made reference to the defence put up by the Chairman of SLPP (Sierra Leone People’s Party), Dr Prince Harding.
The Chairman has rejected the allegations that perpetrators of violence are SLPP youths.
They were in SLPP fatigue to paint a negative image of the party. The chairman’s defence is a clear and compelling message to heads of security agencies as what the investigation should look like. In a seeming nod of agreement with the SLPP Chairman, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), in a widely circulated video footage, made it clear that the perpetrators are thieves at Belgium.
The IGP who doubts the legality of the shops at the scene of violence has ordered the traders to present their certificates to ascertain the legality of their business operations. It is an insinuation that the traders would have no case against the suspects in the absence of those papers.
At this early stage of the investigation, the police have succeeded in establishing that properties sold at Belgium are stolen properties. A statement from the IGP, according to the video footage says: ‘if you open shops for the sale of stolen properties, it is only thieves that would destroy them.
The statements from the IGP have been interpreted by many as one that would water down the investigation.
But, other credible sources have deviated from the path of the police. This medium has been reliably informed that the destruction of Belgium was carefully planned and implemented.
The violence, the source said, started in SLPP headquaters on Wallace Johnson Street, and spilled over to Belgium.
To them, it is no question about asking whether it was SLPP boys or not. The source said, the guys were SLPP clad in green, the party’s official colour. The cost of destruction that unfolded at Belgium is difficult to quantify, but it runs into hundreds of millions of Leones. Violence in the SLPP has become a cause for serious concern among Sierra Leoneans.
Few days back, residents at Calaba Town community in Freetown east were plunged into panic and fear when violence engulfed the SLPP ATAYA Base. The violence led to the death of one of the SLPP youths, and arrest of another member of the party.
During the violence, Portraits of the President and the Vice President were brought down. Investigation mounted by this press showed that the violence between the two SLPP youths emanated from the support for two different candidates for the chairmanship of the party.
The police were also accused to have made attempt to abort the investigation, a move that prompted the violence. Violence prevailing in the SLPP could be traced back to 2017 and 2018 following the emergence of PAOPA ideology.
The ideology is a krio slang meaning SLPP must rule Sierra Leone at all cost. Some SLPP hardliners supported the movement, while some remained neutral. Those who remained neutral failed to support the notion. The youths who have been brainwashed into believing that it is only through violence that a political party could come to power were the largest.
Indeed, the party came to power through violence and threats of more violence.
The youths still continue to uphold the notion of violence, and the hands of the security operatives remained tied down. They fear dismissal and sackings. The uncontrollable level of violence perpetrated by SLPP youths would badly affect the party’s chances in coming back to power in 2023.